TransLoc Rider app provides bus riders real-time arrivals

Photo by: Greg EllisonTransit Manager Mark Rickards discusses the recently launched TransLoc Rider app and displays the associated tablet devices that are being mounted throughout the bus fleet this week.

(Jan. 12, 2018) Judging from the first week of data, the recently launched TransLoc Rider app, which provides real-time bus locations and arrival data, has been well received by Ocean City transit users.

Transit Manager Mark Rickards said the app, which began operating in mid-December and officially went live on New Year’s Eve, had 1,458 hits between Jan 1-6.

“It gives us a lot of information behind the scenes,” he said. “It tells us when we’re hitting our stops [and] if we’re arriving early or late.”

The app also provides insights related to users, Rickards noted.

“We can monitor behind the scenes how many people are looking at their phones,” he said. “We can tell if they’re looking at the mobile map [or] if they’re operating from their desktop.”

The app also reports if information is being accessed from an Android or iOS device, Rickards said.

“Android leads iOS by a considerable margin,” he said.

Further app tweaking continues this week with required tablet devices being permanently installed throughout the fleet, Rickards said.

“We are securing tablets with mounts in all buses today,” he said. “We’ve been carrying them in soft cases.”

Since introducing the app hardware last month, Rickards said there was an initial learning curve for staff members lacking technological savvy.

“We had to do a little training,” he said. “We’ve actually had a couple of drivers say, ‘I never used a tablet [or] I never used a phone.’”

Although the program is still in its infancy, Rickards said even the limited sample size indicates the app has been quickly embraced by ridership.

“It’s been well accepted by staff and public [plus] the numbers are really good,” he said. “Customer support has been good as well.”

Signs have been updated to include bus stop numbers and informational cards have been placed inside buses and other locations. Rickards also said an advertising campaign would be launched before spring to continue promoting the app.

In addition to downloading the TransLoc Rider app, patrons can also find real time bus locations online at oct.transloc.com. Or text 414-11 with the bus stop id number at your location to receive accurate arrival times.